Dengue, arthritis, arsenic, two retractions, frogs singing in the gutters, and deadly sharks (but not as you know them).

Infection, sepsis, and host response

Bacteria in the Adventitia of Cardiovascular Disease Patients with and without Rheumatoid Arthritis – Samuel A. Curran – PLOS ONE

“The aortic adventitia of CVD patients contains a wide range of bacterial species, and the bacterial flora is significantly less diverse in RA+CVD than CVD patients. M. oryzae may stimulate an proinflammatory response that may aggravate and perpetuate the pathological processes underlying atherosclerosis in RA patients.”

Dengue

A tetravalent alphavirus-vector based dengue vaccine provides effective immunity in an early life mouse model – Syed Muaz Khalil – Vaccine

“We report here that a single immunization with a tetravalent VRP vaccine induced NAb and T-cell responses to each serotype at a level equivalent to the monovalent vaccine components, suggesting that this vaccine modality can overcome serotype interference. “

Arsenic metabolism

Species- and tissue-specific bioaccumulation of arsenicals in various aquatic organisms from a highly industrialized area in the Pohang City, Korea – Seongjin Hong – Environmental Pollution

“Contamination of water and sediment with arsenic (As) in a highly industrialized area of Pohang City, Korea was investigated, with emphasis on in situ bioaccumulation of arsenicals by various aquatic organisms.”

Publishing and misconduct

Japanese scientist to retract stem cell papers – Phys.org

“Haruko Obokata, 30, would withdraw two papers at the centre of the controversy, according to a spokeswoman for Riken, the respected research institute that sponsored the study, marking a steep fall from grace for the young researcher.”

Dr. Bik’s Picks

Shark meat worse than its bite – Tony Camie – IOL Scitech

“Never mind their fearsome jaws. People are now more likely to be killed by eating shark meat rather than the other way round.”

Urban frogs use drains as mating megaphones – Katia Moskvitch – Nature

“Gathering in the gutter may provide a better way to seduce females.”

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